PDP Warns Lamido, Others against Unguarded Statements, Reassures Members on Rivers State

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The National Working Committee (NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, cautioned stakeholders against unguarded statements. It assured party members, critical stakeholders, and supporters that its interventions, particularly with regard to the political developments in Rivers State, were yielding desired results.
NWC also reassured members that PDP remained united and firmly on the ground in Rivers State and other parts of the country, despite its challenges.
The party’s comments were in reaction to a recent statement by the former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido, who accused the leadership of PDP of docility and inability to manage the affairs of the party

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, PDP said the NWC, under the acting chairmanship of Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, remained unwavering in providing steady and effective leadership. It said its leadership remained focused on ensuring stability, growth and effective management of interests and corporate integrity of the party, in spite of the onslaught of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which PDP alleged was determined to decimate opposition and impose a one-party state on the country.

Ologunagba expressed displeasure over incautious conduct and activities, as well as unguarded utterances by some party leaders, who were out to disparage PDP’s critical organs, inflame passions, cause division among members, and bring the party to public disrepute for selfish reasons.
According to the statement, “Of particular reference is the deleterious public statement credited to the former governor of Jigawa State, His Excellency, Sule Lamido, which was made apparently with the intent to inject bad blood and drag down our party for self-seeking motives.”

It said the NWC had received very disturbing reports that such unscrupulous individuals were recruited by the one-party-state seeking APC administration to undermine cohesion within the PDP, which would enable it to perform its opposition role for the sustenance of democracy and the wellbeing of Nigerians.
Ologunagba stated, “It is rather unfortunate that such inexcusable conducts, comments, utterances and betrayals are coming from individuals, who have benefitted immensely from the PDP but who have the record and notoriety of brazenly betraying the party in various elections and at slightest opportunity for their selfish interests.

“It is instructive to state that some of the challenges that plagued our party in the recent past and those confronting it at the moment are traceable to the comments, utterances and actions of these unpatriotic individuals, which are inconsistent with the opportunity that the party gave them in the past.
“The minimum that Nigerians and, indeed, members of the PDP expect from such leaders is to show appreciation and commitment to the party and the nation by engaging in constructive suggestions that will be in the interest of our party and Nigerians with regard to good governance, and not to engage in actions that undermine the genuine efforts being made by the leadership of the party, which may not be in line with their selfish political venture and expectations.
“These leaders must understand and recognise that their actions and utterances are not only inimical to the wellbeing of Nigerians, but also in gross violation of the provisions of the constitution of the PDP, especially Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the constitution of the PDP.”